Environmentalists have expressed unease following last week’s appointment (4 September) of the new Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Owen Paterson.

While the waste industry offered Paterson a cautious welcome, with CIWM Chief Executive Steve Lee, for instance, urging the new Environment Secretary to recognise the important role resource management can play in the green economy and “that delivering on the environment and the economy are complementary goals”, some environmentalists have expressed deep concern at the appointment.

Controversial views

The former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Paterson is well documented in his controversial views on environmental matters, including vocal criticism of wind turbines, having previously branded them “a massive waste of consumers’ money”. He has also spoken in the past of the need to end ‘all energy subsidies’ and ‘[fast-track] exploitation of shale gas’.

Writing in an open letter to the Shropshire MP, the Observer’s Science Editor, Robin McKie, described the appointment as ‘interesting… for you certainly come with unusual credentials’.

McKie accused Paterson of having ‘virtually no record of making environmental pronouncements of any consequence or for showing concerns about ecological or climatic issues’, and implored him to ‘get the bigger picture’ and act now to reduce carbon emissions.

Arguably more worrying is the suggestion that Paterson is a climate change sceptic. Following growing media pressure on the subject, a spokesperson for Defra stated that, “the Secretary of State is committed to exploring and developing the response required by government, business and communities”, but this has been largely disparaged for failing to adequately address the question; McKie branded the minster’s evasions ‘feeble’, adding: ‘It was an unimpressive start. I would like to think that things can only get better.’

Economy versus environment

Many have also noted the pertinence of Paterson’s appointment at a time when the Chancellor, George Osborne, is taking increasing steps to improve the country’s economic fortunes at what they feel to be the expense of the environment.

Last Friday (7 September), Osborne announced tax incentives for companies investing in older North Sea oil and gas fields. A planned review of airport policy, in addition to moves to loosen planning restrictions, potentially allowing construction on Green Belt sites, have also raised serious concern among environmentalists.

Speaking to the Independent yesterday (9 September), Josh Garman, a Senior Campaigner at Greenpeace, said: "Last week's reshuffle looks like a headlong rush towards the sort of toxic, nasty party politics that David Cameron said was history when he told voters to go green, vote blue.

“With the Chancellor pursuing a new dash for gas burning, roads and runways, and a new Environment Secretary who refuses to deny reports that he won't accept the science of climate change, it's more important than ever that Nick Clegg stands up for the millions of people who want to protect our environment."

Shale gas

Owen Paterson’s vocal support for the extraction of shale gas to generate energy – a process of which the environmental impact is still not fully known – is also worrying many.

Friends of the Earth, the RSPB and WWF have today issued a joint statement imploring the government not to proceed with shale gas extraction in the UK until, ‘at the very least’, the potential impacts are fully understood, the correct provisions are put in place to protect the environment and any extraction is done with the UK Climate Change Act commitments clearly in mind.

Andy Atkins, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, warned the government against pursuing a power source of which not enough is known: "The government must halt shale gas drilling to properly assess the risks – including the impact on climate change. With big changes to our electricity system due in the months ahead, Energy Secretary Ed Davey must resist calls to hook the nation on polluting gas that has been the main drive of rising energy bills, and instead back a switch to home-grown clean energy. Britain has some of the best wind, wave and tidal resources in Europe – developing them will bring in investment and create thousands of jobs."

His thoughts were echoed by WWF-UK’s Chief Executive, David Nussbaum, who emphasised: "Recent headlines revealing that Arctic sea ice has reached its lowest ever level should serve as a wake up call. Instead of jumping on the shale gas bandwagon, which is clearly not consistent with a low emission future, the government must reaffirm its commitment to tackling climate change and prioritise renewables and energy efficiency.”